Stable lead alkyl compositions and a method for preparing the same



United States Patent Ofi 3,097,222 Patented July 9, 1963 See 3,097,222 STABLE LEAD ALKYL COMPOSITIONS AND A METHOD FOR PREPARING THE SAME. James D. Johnston, Hymin Shapiro, and Albert P. Giraitis, Baton Rougef La., assignriirs to Ethyl Corporat' New York, N. a corpora on 1 bravving. Filed Jime 8, 1962, Ser. No. 200,941 6 Claims. (Cl. 260437) This invention relates to alkyllead compositions which are stable at temperatures above 100" C. It also relates to methods for inhibiting the thermal decomposition of alkyllead compounds when subjected to temperatures above 100 C., at which temperature thermal decomposition becomes appreciable. V V

Generally this invention contemplates inhibiting the thermal decomposition of alkyllead compounds in which at least one valence of the lead is satisfied by an alkyl radical.

More specifically, this invention isconcerned with an improved process for separating alkyllead compounds from the reaction products accompanying the r synthes s. It is also applicable to a method l DIiIl-hlbltlllg thermal decomposition of an alkyllead product durmg its purification and blending with other products :in making commercial antiknock fluids. It is applicableto minimizing the possibility of thermal decomposition during storage or transportation of an alkyllead product. It is especially applicable to preventing thermal decomposition of undiluted alkyllead compounds where the likelihood of thermal decomposition is more of a problem,

As is'well known, tetraalkyllead antiknock compounds generally are; produced'by reacting a sodium-lead alloy with an alkyl halide. Due to recent markedimprove ments in the technologyofalltyllead manufacture, thermal instability of alkyllead compounds during synthesis is no longer a problem. However, the tetraalkyllead compound so produced is in admixture with various reaction lay-products from which it must be separated. Separation is eifectedby steam or vacuum distillation with subsequent purification of the tetraallryllead distillate. Due to the toxic and unstable nature of teraalkyllead antiknock compounds, these distillation and purification operations are subject to many difliculties.

In these distillation and purification operations meticulous temperature control and exact safety measures are of paramount importance. The rate of decomposition of the allryllead compound increases rapidly with small rises in temperature above the temperature Where thermal decomposition becomes appreciable. For example, decomposition of tetraethyllead occurs at the rate of approximately 2 percent per hour at a temperature of 100 C., which is the customary temperature used lead from the reaction products accompanying its syn- At temperatures above 100 C., the decomposithat a point is soon decomposition becomes selfpropagating.

Such likelihood of excessive decomposition is present in handling tetraethyllead occasionally freeze and the friction developed may cause a local overheating to a temperature above the temperature of decomposition of the tetraethyllead. Faulty wiring, leaks onto steam pipes and other accidental causes also may local' overheating with resulting dangerous decomposition.

It is seen therefore that in those operations where an alkyllead compound is in the undiluted or concentrated state-viz., separation, purification, blending, transportation, and storage-the likelihood of excessive thermal decomposition must be provided for and effectively combatted.

transportation and storage. The above and other objects of pected properties are referred to stabilizers.

The synergistic thermal stabilizer mixturesof this invention are composed of ethylene dibromide and diacetone alcohol.

weight of the alkyllead compound.

The chief thermal decomposition products of alkyllead compounds are lead metal and hydrocarbon gas. Hence, a very good index of alkyllead thermal decomposition is liberation of this gas.

of unstabilized and stabilized tetraethyllead A thermostatically controlled hot oil bath was fitted with a stirrer, thermometer, and a holder for a small reaction tube. A cc. gas buret beside the bath, and

was held at C. without pronounced thermal decomposition and consequent gas evolution occurring. Thus, the longer the time, the more thermally stable was the alkyllead composition.

With pure tetraethyllead used in 1 ml. amounts, prouounced thermal deterioration occurred almost immediately as evidenced by rapid gas evolution. In fact, the decomposition of unstabiiized tetraethyllead will normally become uncontrollable if it is heated, whether rapidly or TABLE Effect of Additives on Thermal Decomposition of Alkyllead Compounds at 195 C.

Ethylene Diacetone Thermal dibromide, alcohol, stability No. lllCllili flliIlfile weight ertime to decent of EL composition.

minutes [Composition of this Invention] {Composition not of this Invention] nil 1 nil 3 15 4 It will be noted that the compositions of this invention exhibited a high degree of synergistic effectiveness.

The above-described beneficial behavior of the thermal stabilizer mixtures of this invention also takes place with other alkyllead compounds such as triethyllead bromide and tetrapropyllead. In fact, these compounds when stabilized can be boiled and distilled at atmospheric pressure.

This invention is adapted to the stabilization of tetraethyllead and other alkyllead compounds at varoius stages after they have been formed and the diluents or excess alkyl halide have been discharged from the autoclave. For example, one of the above thermal stabilizer combinations may be added in appropriate quantity to the alkyllead reaction concentrate just before the separation step which is conducted at a temperature close to the temperature where hazardous runaway decomposition is particularly prevalent. By adding one of the above thermal stabilizer combinations to the reaction concentrate just prior to distillation, the danger arising from unexpected temperature increases is substantially eliminated.

Most preferably the above thermal stabilizer combinations are employed to stabilize the alkyllead compound both in storage and in shipping and especially to stabilize any all-ryllead concentrate, i.e., compositions containing at least 80 percent by weight of alkyllead compound. If elevated temperature conditions are likely to be encountered, the addition of a small amount of thermal stabilizer mixture to the alkyllead compound will economically and satisfactorily eliminate most of the hazard involved. While meticulous temperature control and exacting safety 0. 05 0. nil

measures have been successful in reducing to a minimum the hazards of processing and handling of tetraethyllead, the use of this invention provides a much greater factor of safety. Furthermore, waste of the alkyllead product due to decomposition is considerably minimized through the use of this invention.

This invention is useful in stabilizing alkyllead compounds in which at least one valence of the lead is satisfied by an alkyl radical. For example, tetraethyllead, tetra methyllead, tetrapropyllead, dimethyldiethyllead, triethylphenyllead, and triethyllead bromide can be successfully stabilized against thermal decomposition by incorporating therein a relatively small quantity of one of the thermal stabilizers of this invention. This invention is particularly well suited to the stabilization of any mixture involving two or more of the following compounds: tetrarnethyllead, ethyltrimethyllead, diethyldimethyllead, triethylmethyllead, and tetraethyllead.

We claim:

1. A method of inhibiting the decomposition of an alkyllead compound at temperatures of from about C. to about C. which comprises incorporating with said compound from about 0.05 to about 0.5 mole of ethylene dibromide per mole of said compound, and from about 0.1 to about 30 percent of diacetone alcohol based on the weight of said compound.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the concentration of the ethylene dibromide is from about 0.1 to about 0.4 mole per mole of said compound and wherein the concentration of diacetone alcohol is from about 0.5 to about 20 percent based on the weight of said compound.

3. In the process of producing an alkyllead compound by reacting a sodium lead alloy with alkyl chloride and separating the thus produced alkyllead compound from the reaction mass by steam distillation, the step which comprises conducting said steam distillation in the presence of from about 0.05 to about 0.5 mole of ethylene bromide per mole of said compound, and from about 0.1 to about 30 percent of diacetone alcohol based on the weight of said compound.

4. A concentrated alkyllead compound with which has been blended from about 0.05 to about 0.5 mole of ethylene dibromide per mole of said compound, and from about 0.1 to about 30 percent of diacetone alcohol based on the Weight of the said compoun 5. The composition of claim 4 wherein said compound is selected from the group consisting of tetramethyllead, ethyltrimethyllead, diethyldimethyllead, triethylmethyllead, tetraethyllead, and mixtures thereof.

6. The composition of claim 4 wherein the concentration of the ethylene dibromide is from about 0.1 to about 0.4 mole per mole of said compound and wherein the concentration of the diacetone alcohol is from about 0.5 to about 20 percent based on the weight of said compound.

No references cited. 

1. A METHOD OF INHIBITING THE DECOMPOSITION OF AN ALKYLLEAD COMPOUND AT TEMPERATURES OF FROM ABOUT 100* C. TO ABOUT 195* C. WHICH COMPRISES INCORPORATING WITH SAID COMPOUND FROM ABOUT 0.05 TO ABOUT 0.5 MOLE OF ETHYLENE DIBROMIDE PER MOLE OF SAID COMPOUND, AND FROM ABOUT 0.1 TO ABOUT 30 PERCENT OF DIACETONE ALCOHOL BASED ON THE WEIGHT OF SAID COMPOUND. 